From the first 3D adventure of Link to the modern day adventures of Zelda, here's our ranked list of the very best Zelda games to play.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo’s most recent Zelda game is a masterpiece, and it’s not only one of the best Zelda games, it’s one of the best open-world games, period.
Sure, it’s not exactly original – we can see clear shades of Skyrim, Far Cry, and other games in its DNA – but Breath of the Wild’s structure is what makes it so special. The world of Hyrule is a vast, beautiful, and dangerous place, to the point where players are constantly forced to make tough decisions, and when they decide to move forward, there are few better game experiences than climbing up to that familiar Sheikah Slate, checking the map, and planning the next adventure.
Breath of the Wild is a game that’ll be shaping future Zeldas for years to come, just like Ocarina of Time did, and if you’re a newcomer to the series and wondering where to start, then this is it.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The N64 classic is not only one of the best Zelda games, but also one of the best game worlds of all time.
The game begins with Link as a young boy who is woken by a fairy, Navi, and informed that he must save the world from the evil Ganondorf. The game takes place in Hyrule, a land that has been affected by the evil of Ganondorf. Navi informs Link that he must go and find the mystical Ocarina of Time and play the Song of Time to return to the future and stop Ganondorf.
The game is made up of several dungeons and temples, and each dungeon contains a new item for Link to use. The puzzles are incredibly fun, and the combat is some of the best in any game.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
The Game Boy classic is a must-play Zelda game. Link’s Awakening is a spiritual successor to the original Zelda game and was created by the same team. It’s also a bit more lighthearted than other Zelda games, focusing on Action-adventure, and puzzle-solving, making it a great starting point for new players.
In Link’s Awakening, Link is shipwrecked on Koholint Island and wakes up in the house of a strange owl named Kaepora Gaebora. Link goes on a quest to find his Fairy companion, who has been kidnapped by the Shadow Beasts.
Link’s Awakening is an excellent game, with an interesting story and a huge world to explore. It’s also quite challenging and difficult, so it’s perfect for those looking for a more difficult game than the majority of the Zelda games.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The SNES classic is often considered one of the best Zelda games and offers a much larger world with more dungeons and bosses.
A Link to the Past introduces many new features to the Zelda series, such as a light and dark world and the master sword. The game is also special because it marks the first appearance of both Link’s Fairy companion, Navi, and the Master Sword.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
The Nintendo 64 sequel to Ocarina of Time is also a great Zelda game and offers something different from the other games on this list.
Majora’s Mask sees Link journeying to the lost land of Termina to save its citizens from an impending apocalypse. This time, Link is not alone – he has a Fairy companion, Tatl, who is always by his side.
The game offers an interesting new gameplay element: time. There are three days before the moon drops on the land of Termina, and each time Link dies, another day passes.
